The TTX Company has donated TTOX #130059, a four-wheel piggyback flat built in 1984, to the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis. This car was part of the "third generation" of intermodal cars and there were over 2000 built. The first generation was the single trailer on a flat car. The second was the long flatcar built to hold two trailers. But as the trailers got longer these cars reached their limit at 89' 4." The third generation was a combination of the four-wheeled "Front Runner," the articulated, multi-platform spine cars, and pairs of drawbar connected flats. The "Front Runner" did not have a full length floor and was only usable for 40' to 48' long trailers loaded from the top. Its hitch did not fold and held up one end of the trailer. There was a partial platform at the other end to support the trailer's wheels. The car had 28" wheels instead of the standard 33" ones to allow more overhead clearance. Cars that could be used for trailers or containers have proved more versitile and the four-wheelers are being phased out. Many came to St. Louis for scrap and the TTX Company was kind enough to donate one when we asked. You can see the car at the link below (www.museumoftransport.org/rails-6.htm)

Museum of Transportation
rdgoldfede@aol.com